Cabinet with rotatable shelves



V. F. DAVIDSON Feb. 24, 1953 CABINET WITH ROTATABLE SHELVES 4 Shuts-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1948 Vernon F. Davidson V EN TOR.

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CABINET WITH ROTATABLE SHELVES Filed Dec. 5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheel'. 2

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Vernon F. Davidson INVENTOR.

BY wank? Feb. 24 1953 v. F. DAVIDSON CABIN-ET WITH ROTATABLE 'SHELVES Filed Dec. 3. 1948 Fig.7.

4 Sheets-Sheet '5 Fig 6 Vernon F. Davidson INVENTOR.

Feb. 24, 1953 v. F. DAVIDSON CABINET WITH ROTATABLE SHELVES 4 ShetsShee't 4 Filed Dec. 3, 1948 Vernon 1-. Davidson INVENTOR.

BY W

Patented F eb. 24, 1953 CABINET WITH ROTATABLE SHELVES Vernon F. Davidson, Shelton, Wash, assignor of one-half to Rudolph Werberger, Shelton,

Wash.

Application December 3, 1948, Serial No. 63,294

4 Claims. (01. 312-238) This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in cabinets, particularly those adapted to be disposed between various appurtenances normally found in kitchens.

An object of this invention is to supply an improved cabinet from a structural and functional viewpoint which is particularly useful in a corner of a kitchen or in any other environment, which includes a rotor supported in a housing, the rotor having at least one platform therein with vertically disposed partitions carried by said platform, and shelves supported by said partition also disposed in the rotor construction, the shelves and partitions being spaced from the central shaft and. being positioned in a radial manner with respect thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide a practical device of the character to be described which is commercially feasible, practical, attractive and which will enhance the functional utility of storage space in kitchens particularly.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a kitchen, showing one form of the invention applied;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 1, the invention being shown in a second operative position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the device shown in Figure l, but taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the device shown in Figure 3, taken substantially on a line 4-4 of Figure 3 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the components utilized in conjunction with this form of the invention as the top of the rotor;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing another form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a further form of the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the rotors used in conjunction with the invention shown in Figure 6, and;

Figure 9 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken substantially on a line 9-9 of Figure 6 and in the direction of the arrows.

It is one of the prime purposes of the present invention to teach the utility and structure of an improved cabinet for use primarily in kitchens but not restricted to such use. It is within the contemplation of the present invention to apply the principles disclosed herewith in conjunction with supporting various other elements not found in the average kitchen, such as tools, saleable merchandise, and other articles of manufacture. Otherwise spoken, the concept described herewith is applicable to many environments.

Viewing first Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that conventional kitchen appurtenances such as the floor Ill, usual cabinets l2 and M respectively are supplied. Such cabinets as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 cannot normally be placed close together in right angular relation to each other, since the drawers would not operate satisfactorily. Under such conditions, it has been a practice to have a carpenter build or fabricate a fill-in article or leave the space open (which is undesirable) or to supply certain other relatively unsightly shelf-like devices in corners. The present invention is adapted for use in such a corner and a first form of the invention to be discussed at this time is indicated generally at It. The device indicated generally at l6 has in its composition a housing including a top [8 (see Figure 4), a bottom 20 and four sides 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively. The four sides form a substantially square or rectangular housing (in cross section) with a corner removed thereby forming an open front.

A rotor is disposed in the housing formed of the elements discussed above. This rotor includes a vertical shaft 30 having one end rotatably disposed in a boss 32 which is fixed to the inside surface of the top [8 of the said housing. The lower end of the shaft is supported by a bearing plate 34 fixed to the under surface of the bottom 20 of the housing, which accommodates a conventional anti-friction bearing 34 or the like. Of course, the said shaft 30 is disposed in the anti-friction bearing 36 for ease of rotation therein.

A platform 38 is fixed intermediate the ends of the said shaft 36 and supports a number of vertically disposed partitions 40. These partitions 40 in turn have horizontally mounted shelves 42 carried thereby, which are also spaced from the vertically disposed shaft 30 as are the partitions 40. The said partitions 40 have smoothly curved inside edges as seen at 44 in order to lend access to the zone or area there- 'behind, yet function as a partition.

The said rotor also includes sides 46 and 48 respectively which are in this instance, smoothly curved sections of a cylinder. The sides 46 and 48 are fixed to the top 50 and bottom 52 of the rotor by any suitable means such as screws or the like. Hence, upon rotation of the shaft 30, the entire or composite rotor will be turned an amount depending upon whether access is desired into the cabinet IE or it is desired to have the cabinet .in the closed position as shown in the Figures 2 and 1 respectively. The sides 16 and 48 respectively serve the function of sides and also the function of a closure for the entire device. In order that the cut out portion 56 of the top [3 of the exterior housing may be used advantageously, the said top 58 is substantially circular with segments 58 removed. These removed segments render the area immediately above the platform 38 accessible when the device is in the open position and the unremoved portions of the top 50'serve as a closure when the device is in such position as shown in Figure 1. Inspection of. Figure 4 discloses the position of the bottom 20 of the said housing with respect to the sides. It is spaced from the lowermost portion of the said sides of the housing in order that the bottom 52 may be raised from the floor I0. Also a recess 68 is supplied below the said bottom 52 of the rotor to match with the usual recessed bottom portions of conventional cabinets and sinks, servin the same function asthey.

Referring now to Figures 6, 8 and 9 respectively the second form of the invention is disclosed. This second form includes a housing of the same general shape having sides 62, 64, 68 and 79 respectively. The open front is illustrated in Figure 5 and also in Figure 6, a is the smoothly curved recess portion 79 of the top 42 of the housing. This housing for all practical purposes is substantially the same as the housing used in conjunction with thefirst described form ofthe nvention. It serves a similar function also. Trim strips used also for additional support andrigidity l6 and 13 respectively flank the said, opening in the housing.

A rotor in this form of the invention is slightly different from that shown inFigure 4-. However, it is mounted substantially in the same manner and includes a substantially identical shaft. 80. The said shaft is supported in a top 82anda bottom 84. The said top in thiscase has three re.-

moved segments however and will of course, be

the open position upon only one third of a revolution of movement whereas it requires substantially half a revolution to open or close the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. A.

platform or intermediate shelf 85 is fixed to said shaft 8i) intermediate its ends and this platform has vertical partitions 88. with the. smoothly curved recessportionsflll discussed above, associe ated therewith. The-partitions are radially disposed in the rotor and spacred'from the saidshaft. 8B. Shelves 92 are carried by the. partitions 88.

and are also radially disposed with respect tothe shaft 88. These shelves resemble smalltriangles and have flanges 94 on the edges thereof to serve the purpose of guides for end pieces.

Attached to the ends of the top 82 is a number of sides 96. There are three of the sides disclosed in this. form of the invention an they are substantially flat, with handlestil disposed thereon.

It is appreciatedthat the saidshaft BUmay support a secondary or smaller platform H10, as does the shaft 39, shown in Figure 4.

Viewing Figure 7.it.is seen that the third-embodiment of the invention is disclosed, which is substantially identical to that shown in Figure-6.

The differentiating feature is however, the curvature shown in the sides i and 2 in lieu ofthe straight sides shown at 96 in Figure-6.

It is apparentthat certain modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. An example is the utility of trim I04 along the edge of the platform 86, which not only enhances the visual properties of the device but also. serves anotherfunction 4 which is to act as an end piece for articles disposed in the cabinet.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A corner cabinet comprising a casing having a top, bottom and sides, respectively, and a door forming opening extending from the top to the bottom of said casing, a rotor in said casing including an axial vertical shaft journaled in the top and bottom of the casing, said rotor having fixed side members spaced apart circumferentially of said rotor to provide opening in the rotor for registration with said door formin opening to provide for access to said rotor, said side members being rotatable selectively into closing relation to said door forming opening, and shelves on said side members spaced apart horizontally to provide a passageway between the same, said rotor having a top member provided with cut-out portions vertically aligned with the openings in the rotor to prevent said top member from overhanging the door forming opening in the casing when the openings in the rotor are registered with said door forming opening.

2. A corner cabinet according to claim 1 wherein said shelves are provided'with convex arcuate free edges extending from one vertical edge of each side member to theotherto obviatecorners on said shelves.

3. A corner cabinet according to claim 1 wherein said side members and shelvesarecentered at points arranged in degree angular relation around the rotor.

4. A corner cabinet comprising a casing having invention, what is atop, bottom and sides, respectively, and a doorforming opening extending from the top to the bottom of said casing, a rotor in said casing including an axial vertical shaft journaled in the top and bottom of the casing, said rotor having fixed side members spaced apart circumferentially of said rotor to provide openings in the rotor for registration with said door forming opening to provide for access to said rotor, said side members being rotatable selectively into closing relation to said door forming-opening, and shelves'on said side members spaced apart horizontally to provide a passageway between the same, said rotor having a top member provided with cut-out portions vertically aligned with the openings in the rotor to prevent said top member from overhanging the door forming opening in the casingwhen the openings in'the rotor are registered with said door forming opening, said top having a cut-out portion therein registering with the cut-out portions in said top member when the openings in the rotor register with said'dcor formingopening, whereby to provide for access to said rotor through said top and the cut-out portions in said topmember when the openings in said rotor register with the door forming opening.

VERNON F. DAVIDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 343,041 Little June 1, 1886 653,539 Wadell July 10, 1900 874,933 Bristow Dec. 31, 1907' 1,101,880 Quinn June 30, 1914 2,239,734 Pratt Apr."29, 1941 

